Boston University’s chapter of Sigma Delta Tau will remain suspended through December, officials said.
Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore met with SDT members Tuesday night to deliberate the decision, following the conclusion of the hazing investigation. The members will not be recognized by BU through the fall and will be on probationary status when it is reinstated in January 2013.
“They’ve got some work to do over the better course of a year,” Elmore said.
The SDT National Board of Directors has worked closely with BU administrators during the investigative process and supports their decision, said Ann Braly, executive director of the SDT National Sorority in an email interview.
“Sigma Delta Tau has a zero tolerance policy on Hazing . . . Violation of any of our national policies subjects a member to dismissal,” Braly said.
Two female students were taken to the hospital for serious intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, Elmore said. The students, who were either pledging for or members of SDT, were with members of Alpha Epsilon Pi, the unaffiliated fraternity that is now closed.
The BU investigation found the incident was an instance of hazing, Elmore said. He said he believes there have been other instances in which the students were hazed.
“We believe that this is something that has happened before within this organization,” Elmore said. “We don’t think this is the first time this happened, and that factored into my decision.”
Students involved received a range of sanctions including probation, deferred suspension and suspension from BU, Elmore said.
Elmore said SDT national officers mentioned plans to conduct membership review and may be in the process of doing so. They will decide whether or not some current members will remain members and if they will have some restrictions placed on them.
During the probation period, which starts in January, Elmore said there will be restrictions on social activities for the sorority. They will not be allowed to sponsor or be involved in an activity that involves alcohol.
Elmore said officers of the organization will also receive training from BU and the national organization.
“We want to look at what their program for new members is all about and what their programs for membership is all about,” he said.
BU administration intends to work with the SDT national chapter and seek professional development programs for the young women involved in SDT, he said. The members may be asked to “give back to the community,” as well as attend regular meetings with the administrators, he said.
“We will be providing comprehensive support, retraining and educational programming to the chapter when we return to full and active participation with the Panhellenic Community in January of 2013,” Braly said.
Elmore said he feels confident in SDT’s chances of passing BU progress evaluations in 2013.
“It’s time to move forward and implement ways for this organization to get back on its feet,” he said.
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